NMC Bill: IMA withdraws strike

Today, The Indian Medical Association was observing a nationwide 12-hour strike. There has been a tussle between government and the doctors regarding the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill. The NMC bill isn’t a good one according to the doctors and the IMA is strongly opposing it. Today, the state government sent it to the standing committee. However, the IMA has withdrawn the strike

The IMA conducted a press conference at their office in Juhu, Mumbai. While, the MBBS students protested at Azad Maidan. IMA conducted the General Body Meetings (GBM) at their offices across Maharashtra.

Informing about the government’s decision in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, “Those who opposed the bill demanded that the bill should be sent to the standing committee. The government is ready to send the bill to the standing committee. I would request the speaker to ask the standing committee to give their recommendations before the budget session.”

“This is the second time that the bill is being sent to the standing committee. So, the standing committee should give the recommendations before the budget session,” said the Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Now the IMA has called off the strike and has asked the doctors to resume their duties.

Speaking to My Medical Mantra, IMA member and President of Maharashtra Medical Council, Dr Shivkumar Utture said, “We welcome the decision of the government to send the NMC Bill to the standing committee. We are withdrawing the strike. All the doctors’ will resume their duties immediately.

Dr Mangesh Pate, the joint secretary IMA National said, “Our doctors will resume by 6:00 pm. We will continue our agitation and negotiation and see how standing committee is reviewing the bill.

Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, IMA president said “It is a challenge to lead the community in these turbulent times. And I see this national presidentship as an opportunity to together to solve the issues the fraternity is facing. So, the doctors should be united. My only interest this year will be to protect each and every IMA member. We will launch a surgical strike in six weeks to solve issues.”